Vibration suppressing apparatus and vibration suppressing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A vibration suppressing apparatus and a vibration suppressing method thereof are provided. The vibration amplitude, vibration frequency, and vibration phase of a vibration suppressing unit are adjusted in real-time according to the vibration amplitude, vibration frequency and vibration phase of a vibration source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of and claims thepriority benefit of a prior application Ser. No. 14/077,232 filed onNov. 12, 2013, now pending. The prior application Ser. No. 14/077,232claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 102127974,filed on Aug. 5, 2013. The entirety of each of the above-mentionedpatent applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein and madea part of this specification.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a vibration suppressing apparatus anda vibration suppressing method thereof, and more particularly to avibration suppressing apparatus and a vibration suppressing method foran electronic device.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Since electronic products (e.g., notebook and tablet computers) aredeveloped towards being thin and light, and emphasis has been placed onuser comfort, nowadays the issue of a certain vibration source (e.g.,vibration from fans, hard disks, speakers, or optical disk drives)causing case vibration and discomfort to the user has been receivingmore and more attention. Conventional techniques have relied on passivesuppression methods to reduce these types of vibrations, such as bychanging the material structure or adding damping buffer mechanisms likefoam, springs, and clips. However, the vibration of the electronicproduct does not typically originate from one type of vibration source,and may vary according to the operational vibration of the machine.Moreover, passive suppression methods cannot adjust the suppressionaccording to the varying states of the vibration, and therefore thesemethods cannot effectively lower the vibration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a vibration suppressing apparatus and a vibrationsuppressing method thereof, capable of effectively reducing thevibration of a vibration source from an electronic device, and therebyenhance the comfort when a user utilizes the electronic device.

A vibration suppressing apparatus is adapted for an electronic device,and includes a sensing unit, a vibration suppressing unit, and aprocesser. The sensing unit detects a vibration amplitude, a vibrationfrequency, and a vibration phase of a vibration source of the electronicdevice. The vibration suppressing unit may be driven to suppress thevibration of the vibration source, and the vibration suppressing unithas a vibration amplitude, a vibration frequency, and a vibration phase.The processer is coupled to the sensing unit and the vibrationsuppressing unit, and the processer drives the vibration suppressingunit and adjusts the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, andthe vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit according to thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration source, so as to suppress the vibration of the vibrationsource.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processer furtherdetermines whether the vibration frequency of the vibration source isthe same as the vibration frequency of the vibration suppressing unit,and whether the vibration phase of the vibration source is the inverseof the vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit. When thevibration frequency and vibration phase of the vibration source arerespectively not the same and not the inverse of the vibration frequencyand vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, the vibrationfrequency and vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit arerespectively adjusted to be the same as the vibration frequency andinverse from the vibration phase of the vibration source. Moreover, whenthe vibration frequency of the vibration source is the same as thevibration frequency of the vibration suppressing unit, and the vibrationphase of the vibration source is the inverse of the vibration phase ofthe vibration suppressing unit, then the vibration amplitude of thevibration suppressing unit is increased.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the processer furtherdetermines whether the vibration amplitude of the vibration source hasdecreased. When the vibration amplitude of the vibration source has notdecreased, whether the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, andthe vibration phase of the vibration source are similar to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration suppressing unit is detemined. When the vibration amplitude,the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration sourceare similar to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, the vibrationsuppressing unit is disabled for a predetennined time, and whether thevibration of the vibration source originates from the vibrationsuppressing unit is determined within the predetermined time. When thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration source are not similar to the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit, the vibration amplitude of the vibration suppressingunit is decreased.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vibration suppressingapparatus further includes a charge storage unit coupled to theprocesser, the sensing unit further converting the vibration of thevibration source into an electrical signal. When the processerdetermines the vibration amplitude of the vibration source is less thana predetermined value, the processer stores an electrical energygenerated by the sensing unit converting the vibration of the vibrationsource into the charge storage unit.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vibration suppressingapparatus further includes a charge storage unit coupled to theprocesser, the sensing unit further converting the vibration of thevibration source into an electrical signal. When the processerdetermines the vibration amplitude of the vibration source hasdecreased, the processer further determines whether the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is less than a predetermined valueaccording to the electrical signal. When the vibration amplitude of thevibration source is less than the predetermined value, the processerstores an electrical energy generated by the sensing unit converting thevibration of the vibration source into the charge storage unit. When thevibration amplitude of the vibration source is not less than thepredetermined value, the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency,and the vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit are adjustedaccording to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration source.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vibration suppressingapparatus further includes an inverting amplifier and a programmableresistor unit. The inverting amplifier is coupled to the processer.Moreover, the processer outputs a vibration signal to the invertingamplifier according to the vibration of the vibration source, and theinverting amplifier outputs a vibration suppressing signal according tothe vibration signal. The programmable resistor unit is coupled to theinverting amplifier and the processer. The programmable resistor unitdrives the vibration suppressing unit to suppress the vibration of thevibration source according to the vibration suppressing signal, in whicha resistance value of the programmable resistor unit is controlled bythe processer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the sensing unit isdisposed on at least one of besides the vibration source and at alocation where the body of the user contacts when the user utilizes theelectronic device, and the vibration suppressing unit is disposedbesides the vibration source or at a location where the body of the usercontacts when the user utilizes the electronic device.

A vibration suppressing method of an electronic device is adapted forsuppressing a vibration of a vibration source of the electronic device.The method includes the following steps. The vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source aredetected. According to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency,and the vibration phase of the vibration source, the vibrationsuppressing unit is driven and a vibration amplitude, a vibrationfrequency, and a vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit arecorrespondingly adjusted, so as to suppress the vibration of thevibration source.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the step of adjusting thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration suppressing unit according to the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration sourceincludes the following steps. Whether the vibration frequency of thevibration source is the same as the vibration frequency of the vibrationsuppressing unit, and whether the vibration phase of the vibrationsource is the inverse of the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit is determined. When the vibration frequency and thevibration phase of the vibration source are respectively different andnot inverse from the vibration frequency and vibration phase of thevibration suppressing unit, the vibration frequency and the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit are respectively adjusted to bethe same as the vibration frequency and inverse from the vibration phaseof the vibration source. When the vibration frequency of the vibrationsource is the same as the vibration frequency of the vibrationsuppressing unit, and the vibration phase of the vibration source is theinverse of the vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, thevibration amplitude of the vibration suppressing unit is increased.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vibration suppressingmethod further includes the following steps. Whether the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source has decreased is determined. When thevibration amplitude of the vibration source has not decreased, whetherthe vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration source are similar to the vibration amplitude,the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit is determined. When the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source aresimilar to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, the vibrationsuppressing unit is disabled for a predetermined time. Moreover, whetherthe vibration of the vibration source originates from the vibrationsuppressing unit is determined within the predetermined time. When thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration source are not similar to the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit, the vibration amplitude of the vibration suppressingunit is decreased.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vibration suppressingmethod further includes the following steps. When the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source decreased, whether the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is less than a predetermined value isdetermined. When the vibration amplitude of the vibration source is lessthan the predetermined value, the vibration of the vibration source isconverted into an electrical energy for storage. When the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is not less than the predeterminedvalue, the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit are adjusted accordingto the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration source.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vibration suppressingmethod further includes the following steps. Whether the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is less than a predetermined value isdetermined. When the vibration amplitude of the vibration source is lessthan the predetermined value, the vibration of the vibration source isconverted into an electrical energy for storage. When the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is not less than the predeterminedvalue, the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit are adjusted accordingto the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration source.

In summary, according to embodiments of the invention, since thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration suppressing unit may be adjusted in real-time according tothe vibration variation state of the vibration source, therefore, thevibration of the vibration source can be effectively suppressed, andthereby enhance the comfort when the user utilizes the electronicdevice.

To make the above features and advantages of the invention morecomprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with drawings aredescribed in detail as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vibration suppressing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a vibration suppressing apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a vibration suppressing apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a vibration suppressing method ofan electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a vibration suppressing method ofan electronic device according to another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vibration suppressing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the invention. A vibration suppressingapparatus 100 may be adapted for an electronic device, such as anotebook computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, for example. Thevibration suppressing apparatus 100 may include a sensing unit 102, avibration suppressing unit 104, and a processer 106. The processer 106is coupled to the sensing unit 102 and the vibration suppressing unit104. The sensing unit 102 detects a vibration amplitude, a vibrationfrequency, and a vibration phase of a vibration source of the electronicdevice. The vibration source of the electronic device may be a fan, ahard disk, a speaker, an optical drive, or other devices which maytrigger movement. The sensing unit 102 may be a piezoelectric patch or agravity sensor, and the vibration suppressing unit may be apiezoelectric patch or a vibration motor, for example. The processer 106adjusts the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit 104 according to thedetected vibration amplitude, vibration frequency, and vibration phaseof the vibration source.

In detail, the processer 106 may first deteiiiiine whether the vibrationfrequency of the vibration source is the same as the vibration frequencyof the vibration suppressing unit 104, and whether the vibration phaseof the vibration source is the inverse of the vibration phase of thevibration suppressing unit 104. When the vibration frequency of thevibration source is different from the vibration frequency of thevibration suppressing unit 104, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsource is not the inverse of the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit 104, then the processer 106 adjusts the vibrationfrequency of the vibration suppressing unit 104 to be the same as thevibration frequency of the vibration source, and adjusts the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit 104 to be the inverse of thevibration phase of the vibration source. When the vibration frequencyand the vibration phase of the vibration source are respectively thesame and the inverse of the vibration frequency and the vibration phaseof the vibration suppressing unit 104, then the vibration amplitude ofthe vibration suppressing unit 104 is increased, and the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is decreased. The vibration amplitudeof the vibration suppressing unit 104 may be increased by a smallincrement each time. After increasing the vibration amplitude of thevibration suppressing unit 104 each time, the sensing unit 102 may sensethe vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit 104 again. According to thedetection result, the processer 106 may adjust the vibration amplitude,the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit 104 again, such that the vibration suppressingapparatus 100 can adjust the vibration state of the vibrationsuppressing unit 104 dynamically and in real-time according to thevariation of the vibration source, and thereby achieve vibrationsuppression.

When the vibration amplitude of the vibration source has not decreasedis determined after the processer 106 adjusts the vibration amplitude,the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit 104, the processer 106 may then determine whether thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration source are similar to the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit 104. When the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source are similarto the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit 104, the processer 106 disablesthe vibration suppressing unit 104 for a predetermined time (e.g. a fewmilliseconds), and determine whether the vibration of the vibrationsource originates from the vibration suppressing unit 104.

When the sensing unit 102 detects that the vibration of the vibrationsource has stopped within the predetermined time that the vibrationsuppressing unit 104 is disabled, the processer 106 may determinewhether the vibration of the vibration source originates from thevibration suppressing unit 104. At this time, the processer 106 mayterminate the vibration suppression operation of the vibrationsuppressing unit 104, until the sensing unit 102 again detects that thevibration source has vibrated, and then the aforementioned vibrationsuppressing operations are performed.

On the other hand, when the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source is notsimilar to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit 104, the vibrationamplitude of the vibration suppressing unit 104 may be too large, andthe processer 106 may decrease the vibration amplitude of the vibrationsuppressing unit 104, so as to achieve a preferable vibrationsuppressing effect.

In light of the foregoing, since the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit 104may be dynamically adjusted in real-time according to the vibrationvariation state of the vibration source, therefore, the vibrationsuppressing apparatus 100 can effectively suppress the vibration of thevibration source, and thereby enhance the comfort when the user utilizesthe electronic device.

It should be noted that, the sensing unit 102 may be disposed on atleast one of besides the vibration source and at a location where thebody (e.g. hands) of the user contacts when the user utilizes theelectronic device (e.g., at a palm rest when the electronic device is anotebook computer for example), so as to sense the vibration state ofthe vibration source or the vibration state at the location where thebody (e.g. hands) of the user contacts when the user utilizes theelectronic device. The latter case is substantially equal to thevibration sensation directly felt by the user's hands. The vibrationsuppressing unit 104 may be disposed besides the vibration source or ata location where the body (e.g. hands) of the user contacts when theuser utilizes the electronic device (e.g., at a palm rest when theelectronic device is a notebook computer for example), so as to directlysuppress the vibration of the vibration source, or to only suppress thevibration at the location where the body (e.g. hands) contacts when theuser utilizes the electronic device, and thereby enhancing the usercomfort of the electronic device.

Moreover, when the sensing unit 102 detects the vibration of thevibration source, the time point when the detection result is generatedmay be different from the time point when the vibration of the vibrationsource occurs. For example, when the sensing unit 102 is implemented bya piezoelectric patch, since the piezoelectric patch requires a setamount of time to convert mechanical energy into electric energy,therefore, the time point when the electrical signals (e.g. voltage orcurrent signals) generated by the sensing unit 102 by converting thevibration of the vibration source is different from the time point whenthe vibration of the vibration source occurs. The processer 106 mayfurther derive and correct the received vibration amplitude, vibrationfrequency, and vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit 104according to the vibration of the vibration source and the time pointwhen the sensing unit 102 generates the detection result, and therebymore accurately suppress the vibration of the vibration source.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a vibration suppressing apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2,compared to vibration suppressing apparatus 100, a vibration suppressingapparatus 200 further includes a charge storage unit 202 (e.g. acapacitor) coupled to the processer 106. The sensing unit 102 in thepresent embodiment may be a piezoelectric patch capable of convertingthe vibration of the vibration source into an electrical signal, forexample. According to the electrical signal, the processer 106 maydetermine whether the vibration amplitude of the vibration source isless than a predetermined value, in which the predetermined value may beset as a maximum acceptable vibration amplitude when the user utilizesthe electronic device. When the vibration amplitude of the vibrationsource is less than the predetermined value, the processer 106 may storean electrical energy generated by the sensing unit 102 converting thevibration of the vibration source into the charge storage unit 202, soas to increase a power source utilization efficiency of the electronicdevice. On the other hand, when the vibration amplitude of the vibrationsource is not less than the predetermined value, then in accordance tothe method shown by the embodiment in FIG. 1, the processer 106 adjuststhe vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit 104 according to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration source, so as to suppress the vibration of the vibrationsource.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a vibration suppressing apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the invention. The sensing unit 102and the vibration suppressing unit 104 in the present embodiment areboth implemented by piezoelectric patches. Referring to FIG. 3, inspecifics, compared to the vibration suppressing apparatus 200, avibration suppressing apparatus 300 of the present embodiment furtherincludes an inverting amplifier 302 and a programmable resistor unit304. The inverting amplifier 302 is coupled to the processer 106, andthe programmable resistor unit 304 is coupled to the inverting amplifier302 and the processer 106. The processer 106 may output a vibrationsignal S1 to the inverting amplifier 302 according to the vibration ofthe vibration source. The vibration signal S1 may be an electricalsignal generated by the sensing unit 102 converting the vibration of thevibration source, for example. The inverting amplifier 302 inverts andamplifies the vibration signal S1, and outputs a vibration suppressingsignal S2 to the programmable resistor unit 304. The programmableresistor unit 304 may drive the vibration suppressing unit 104 tosuppress the vibration of the vibration source according to thevibration suppressing signal S2. A resistance value of the programmableresistor unit 304 is controlled by the programming unit 106, andtherefore the processer 106 may control the vibration characteristics ofthe vibration suppressing unit 104 by adjusting the resistance value ofthe programmable resistor unit 304. For example, when the resistancevalue of the programmable resistor unit 304 increases, a voltageoutputted by the programmable resistor unit 304 also increases, therebycausing the vibration amplitude of the vibration suppressing unit 104 togrow.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a vibration suppressing method ofan electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 4, a vibration suppressing method of an electronicdevice may be generalized to include the following steps. The vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration source are detected (Step S402). Thereafter, the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration suppressing unit are adjusted according to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration source, so as to suppress the vibration of the vibrationsource (Step S404). In detail, Step S404 may include first determiningwhether the vibration frequency of the vibration source is the same asthe vibration frequency of the vibration suppressing unit, and whetherthe vibration phase of the vibration source is the inverse of thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit (Step S406). When thevibration frequency and the vibration phase of the vibration source arerespectively the same and the inverse of the vibration frequency and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, then the vibrationamplitude of the vibration suppressing unit is increased (Step S408). Onthe other hand, when the vibration frequency and the vibration phase ofthe vibration source are respectively different and not inverse from thevibration frequency and vibration phase of the vibration suppressingunit, the vibration frequency and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit are respectively adjusted to be the same as thevibration frequency and inverse from the vibration phase of thevibration source (Step S410), and thereafter the process proceeds toStep S408 to increase the vibration amplitude of the vibrationsuppressing unit. Moreover, the adjustment to the vibration amplitude,the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit may be performed in accordance to a timing differencebetween the vibration of the vibration source and when the detectionresult is generated.

After adjusting the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, andthe vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, whether thevibration amplitude of the vibration source has decreased is determined(Step S412). When the vibration amplitude of the vibration source hasdecreased, the vibration characteristics of the vibration suppressingunit may be maintained, and the process returns to Step S402 to continuedetecting the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration source, and to continue the subsequentvibration suppressing adjustments. When the vibration amplitude of thevibration source has not decreased, the factors causing the vibration ofthe vibration source may have disappeared at this time, and the detectedvibration may be due to the vibration suppressing unit. At this time,whether the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration source are similar to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration suppressing unit is determined (Step S414). When the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration source are similar to the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit,the vibration suppressing unit is disabled for a predetermined time, andwhether the vibration of the vibration source originates from thevibration suppressing unit is determined within the predetermined time(Step S416). When the vibration source is detected to have stoppedvibrating within the predetermined time, this represents the detectedvibration of the vibration source originates from the vibrationsuppressing unit, and the vibration suppressing unit is continuallydisabled at this time (Step S418). Moreover, the process returns to StepS402 to continue detecting the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source. On the otherhand, when the vibration of the vibration source is detected, thisrepresents the vibration source is still in a vibrating state, and thusthe process may directly return to Step S402 to continue detecting thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration source, and to continue the subsequent vibrationsuppressing adjustments.

Returning to Step S414, when the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source are notsimilar to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, the vibrationamplitude of the vibration suppressing unit may be too large, andtherefore the vibration amplitude of the vibration suppressing unit maybe decreased at this time (Step S420). Thereafter, the process returnsto Step S402 to continue detecting the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source,and to perform the next adjustments.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a vibration suppressing method ofan electronic device according to another embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 5, the vibration suppressing method of the electronicdevice in the present embodiment is different from the embodiment shownin FIG. 4 in that, the vibration suppressing method of the electronicdevice in the present embodiment further includes converting thevibration of the vibration source into an electrical energy for storagewhen the vibration amplitude of the vibration source is less than thepredetei nined value. As shown in FIG. 5, after Step S402, whether thevibration amplitude of the vibration source is less than thepredetermined value may be determined (Step S502). When the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is less than the predetermined value,the vibration of the vibration source is converted into electricalenergy for storage (Step S504), and the process returns to Step S402 tocontinue detecting the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, andthe vibration phase of the vibration source. On the other hand, when thevibration amplitude of the vibration source is not less than thepredetermined value, then the process proceeds to Step 404, in which thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration suppressing unit are adjusted according to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration source. Moreover, after Step S412, whether the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is less than the predetermined valuemay be determined (Step S506). When the vibration amplitude of thevibration source is less than the predetermined value, the vibration ofthe vibration source is converted into electrical energy for storage(Step S504). When the vibration amplitude of the vibration source is notless than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to Step S414, inwhich whether the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration source are similar to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration suppressing unit are determined.

In view of the foregoing, according to embodiments of the invention,since the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit may be adjusted inreal-time according to the vibration variation state of the vibrationsource, therefore, the vibration of the vibration source can beeffectively suppressed, and thereby enhance the comfort when the userutilizes the electronic device. In some embodiments, the vibration ofthe vibration source may be converted into electrical energy forstorage, and thus enhancing the utilization efficiency of the powersource.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibration suppressing apparatus adapted for anelectronic device, the vibration suppressing apparatus comprising: asensing unit detecting a vibration amplitude, a vibration frequency, anda vibration phase of a vibration source of the electronic device,wherein the vibration source comprises at least one of a fan, a harddisk, a speaker and an optical drive; a vibration suppressing unitsuppressing the vibration source when driven, the vibration suppressingunit having a vibration amplitude, a vibration frequency, and avibration phase, wherein the vibration suppressing unit comprises atleast one of a piezoelectric patch and a vibration motor; and aprocesser coupled to the sensing unit and the vibration suppressingunit, the processer driving the vibration suppressing unit and adjustingthe vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit according to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration source, wherein the processer further determines whether thevibration amplitude of the vibration source has decreased, when thevibration amplitude of the vibration source has not decreased, whetherthe vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration source are similar to the vibration amplitude,the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit is determined, when the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source aresimilar to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, the vibrationsuppressing unit is disabled for a predetermined time.
 2. The vibrationsuppressing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processerfurther determines whether the vibration frequency of the vibrationsource is the same as the vibration frequency of the vibrationsuppressing unit, and whether the vibration phase of the vibrationsource is the inverse of the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit, when the vibration frequency and vibration phase ofthe vibration source are respectively not the same and not the inverseof the vibration frequency and vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit, the vibration frequency and vibration phase of thevibration suppressing unit are respectively adjusted to be the same asthe vibration frequency and inverse from the vibration phase of thevibration source, and when the vibration frequency of the vibrationsource is the same as the vibration frequency of the vibrationsuppressing unit, and the vibration phase of the vibration source is theinverse of the vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, thenthe vibration amplitude of the vibration suppressing unit is increased.3. The vibration suppressing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theprocesser further determines whether the vibration of the vibrationsource originates from the vibration suppressing unit is determinedwithin the predetermined time, when the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source arenot similar to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, the vibrationamplitude of the vibration suppressing unit is decreased.
 4. Thevibration suppressing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when thesensing unit detects that the vibration of the vibration source hasstopped within the predetermined time that the vibration suppressingunit is disabled, the processer determines whether the vibration of thevibration source originates from the vibration suppressing unit.
 5. Thevibration suppressing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a charge storage unit coupled to the processer, the sensingunit further converting the vibration of the vibration source into anelectrical signal, and when the processer determines the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source is less than a predetermined value,the processer stores an electrical energy generated by the sensing unitconverting the vibration of the vibration source into the charge storageunit.
 6. The vibration suppressing apparatus according to claim 3,further comprising: a charge storage unit coupled to the processer, thesensing unit further converting the vibration of the vibration sourceinto an electrical signal, when the processer determines the vibrationamplitude of the vibration source has decreased, the processer furtherdetermines whether the vibration amplitude of the vibration source isless than a predetermined value according to the electrical signal, whenthe vibration amplitude of the vibration source is less than thepredetermined value, the processer stores an electrical energy generatedby the sensing unit converting the vibration of the vibration sourceinto the charge storage unit, and when the vibration amplitude of thevibration source is not less than the predetermined value, the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration suppressing unit are adjusted according to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration source.
 7. The vibration suppressing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the processer further derives and corrects thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration suppressing unit according to a timing difference betweenthe vibration of the vibration source and when the detection result isgenerated by the sensing unit.
 8. The vibration suppressing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: an inverting amplifier coupledto the processer, the processer further outputting a vibration signal tothe inverting amplifier according to the vibration of the vibrationsource, and the inverting amplifier outputting a vibration suppressingsignal according to the vibration signal; and a programmable resistorunit coupled to the inverting amplifier and the processer, theprogrammable resistor unit driving the vibration suppressing unit tosuppress the vibration of the vibration source according to thevibration suppressing signal, wherein a resistance value of theprogrammable resistor unit is controlled by the processer.
 9. Thevibration suppressing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesensing unit is disposed on at least one of besides the vibration sourceand at a location where the body of a user contacts when the userutilizes the electronic device.
 10. The vibration suppressing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the vibration suppressing unit is disposedbesides the vibration source or at a location where the body of the usercontacts when the user utilizes the electronic device.
 11. The vibrationsuppressing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unitcomprises a piezoelectric patch or a gravity sensor.
 12. A vibrationsuppressing method of an electronic device, adapted for suppressing avibration of a vibration source of the electronic device, the methodcomprising: detecting a vibration amplitude, a vibration frequency, anda vibration phase of the vibration source, wherein the vibration sourcecomprises at least one of a fan, a hard disk, a speaker and an opticaldrive; according to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency,and the vibration phase of the vibration source, driving a vibrationsuppressing unit and adjusting a vibration amplitude, a vibrationfrequency, and a vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unit, soas to suppress the vibration of the vibration source, wherein thevibration suppressing unit comprises at least one of a piezoelectricpatch and a vibration motor; determining whether the vibration amplitudeof the vibration source has decreased; when the vibration amplitude ofthe vibration source has not decreased, determining whether thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration source are similar to the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit; and when the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration source are similarto the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit, disabling the vibrationsuppressing unit for a predetermined time, and determining whether thevibration of the vibration source originates from the vibrationsuppressing unit within the predetermined time.
 13. The vibrationsuppressing method according to claim 12, wherein the step of adjustingthe vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit according to the vibrationamplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase of thevibration source comprises: determining whether the vibration frequencyof the vibration source is the same as the vibration frequency of thevibration suppressing unit, and whether the vibration phase of thevibration source is the inverse of the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit, when the vibration frequency and the vibration phaseof the vibration source are respectively different and not inverse fromthe vibration frequency and vibration phase of the vibration suppressingunit, respectively adjusting the vibration frequency and the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit to be the same as the vibrationfrequency and inverse from the vibration phase of the vibration source;and when the vibration frequency of the vibration source is the same asthe vibration frequency of the vibration suppressing unit, and thevibration phase of the vibration source is the inverse of the vibrationphase of the vibration suppressing unit, increasing the vibrationamplitude of the vibration suppressing unit.
 14. The vibrationsuppressing method according to claim 12, further comprising: when thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration source are not similar to the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit, decreasing the vibration amplitude of the vibrationsuppressing unit.
 15. The vibration suppressing method according toclaim 14, wherein when the vibration of the vibration source has stoppedwithin the predetermined time that the vibration suppressing unit isdisabled, determining whether the vibration of the vibration sourceoriginates from the vibration suppressing unit.
 16. The vibrationsuppressing method according to claim 14, further comprising: when thevibration amplitude of the vibration source decreased, determiningwhether the vibration amplitude of the vibration source is less than apredetermined value; when the vibration amplitude of the vibrationsource is less than the predetermined value, converting the vibration ofthe vibration source into an electrical energy for storage; and when thevibration amplitude of the vibration source is not less than thepredetermined value, adjusting the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unitaccording to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration source.
 17. The vibration suppressingmethod according to claim 12, further comprising: determining whetherthe vibration amplitude of the vibration source is less than apredetermined value; when the vibration amplitude of the vibrationsource is less than the predetermined value, converting the vibration ofthe vibration source into an electrical energy for storage; and when thevibration amplitude of the vibration source is not less than thepredetermined value, adjusting the vibration amplitude, the vibrationfrequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration suppressing unitaccording to the vibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and thevibration phase of the vibration source.
 18. The vibration suppressingmethod according to claim 12, wherein the step of adjusting thevibration amplitude, the vibration frequency, and the vibration phase ofthe vibration suppressing unit according to the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibration sourcefurther comprises: deriving and correcting the vibration amplitude, thevibration frequency, and the vibration phase of the vibrationsuppressing unit according to a timing difference between the vibrationof the vibration source and when the detection result is generated.